It’s ironic that this year’s recipient of the “Who Cares I’m Flying” award goes to an individual who was present during the conception of the W.C.I.F. mentality. Long before any professional contracts, before any athletic scholarships, and before any National Titles, Kacey Manderfield, Raymond Dybowski and myself waxed philosophical one late night on a drive home from Leland. Kacey was younger and in fact was fresh off recently becoming aware that you aren’t supposed to wear your underwear under your bike shorts.
Fast-forward to three years later, and we all could not be more proud of this extremely accomplished rider. Kacey has been racing for Lees McRae in N. Carolina for two seasons now and has been nothing short of a 5ft podium spot grabbing velo-juggernaut. I am proud to claim that I was the first person to drive her down to Lees McRae to meet the coach and ride with the team. As I watched Kacey’s focus sharpen that season, I knew she was destined for greater things than our Michigan scene had to offer.
I asked Kacey to email me her race resume from this season prior to me sitting down to write this. It was quite an overwhelming site to behold. I think her race resume contains more 1’s than the binary code required to write this! In addition to the numerous podium finishes Kacey snagged this year, she also claimed 5 National Jerseys of her own (3 individual and 2 team). Did I mention that Kacey got her start as a Wolverine? Kacey may have moved onto bigger and better things but once a Wolverine, always a Wolverine.
So lets all raise a fresh batch of Kacey’s homemade chocolate chip cookies to her, She is the recipient of this year’s and the first ever “Who Cares I’m Flying” Award of the Year. Congrats! We are all proud of you.
